US1025752A - Type-writing machine. - Google Patents

Description

neimm. TYPE WRITING MACHINE. APPLIOATIQH FILED OUT. 6, 1905.

2 SHEETS-$31121 1.

Patented May 7, i912.

125G. LATTA.

TPE WRITING MACHINE. urmhnmn FILED 0016, 1905.

Patented May 7, 1912.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

vet-w.

voluntary action of the type-bar during its I To all whom it may concern:

UNITED sTArn-s rAtrE vT onmoii.

EMMIT o. LATTA, or SYRACUSE, NEW $03k, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0

UNION TYPEWRITER COMPANY, or'mnsnv cm, New JERSEY, A CORPORATION on NEW JERSEY.

Be it known that I, EMMITG. LATTA, Of Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in

and useful Improvements in Type-Writing Machines, of which the following, taken. in

connection with theaccompanyingdrriwngs, is a full, clear, and exact description.

the various parts of the type-bar action, and

to the relative association of these actions one with the other. In this class of machines, in which the type-bars are thrown upwardly and rearwardly from their normal to their printing positions, the available space for the reception and action of the type-bars is necessarily small and the radial planes through which the type-bars swing are unavoidably brought in close juxtaposition. It, therefore, becomes important to not only reduce the number and weight of the parts of each individual type-bar action, but also to cause each type-bar to respond quickly and easily under. a comparatively light pressure of the finger upon its actuating key lever, andat the same time to avoid any objectionable lost motion or iiitravel to and from its printing position so as to permit a rapid action of the several type-bars without liability of interfering one with the other.

My first object, therefore, is to reduce the number .of the parts, weight and cost of production of each type-bar action to a minimum, and to enable such actions to be assembled within the limited spaccin such manner as to leave ample clearance of .one type-bar from another in its travel to and from the printing position, and particularly, when leaving its normal position of rest and returning from the printing position.

A further object is to make use of the compact arrangement of the various parts of each type-bar action in producin an accelerated motion ,of the type-bar rom its position of rest to the printing point, which,

Specification Letters Patent. Application filed October a, 1905. I Serial No. 281,661.

rYPE-wm'rme Maonmn.

PatentedMay 7, 1912.

incidentally, requires a much lighter touch on the key to bring the type-bar to the printing position. the Stateof New York, have invented new Another object is to utilize portions of the essential elements of. each action for locking the type-bar against objectionable rebound when returned to their normal .po-

sitions. I v p A still further object is to utilize portions of the hanger for guiding the type-barrto sustain it "against lateral vibrationdiliring the printing operation, or while at the print ing point.

Other objects relating to the specific construetion and operation of the parts will be I brought out in the following description. In the drawings- -Figure 1 is-a longitudinal vertical sectional View, from front to rear, of a portion of a front-strike typewriting machine showing the type-bar supporting segment and my improved type-bar action in its normal position, as indicated by full lines, and in its printing position, 'as indicated by dotted lines. Fig. 2 is. a similar view of the same parts, except that. one of the hanger-plates is reinoved,jan'd portions of the type bar and keylever are broken away. Fig. 3 is a similar view of the same parts seen in Fig. 2, but showing the parts in full lines as they appear when the type bar is in the printing'position. Fig. 4 is a rear face view of a portion of the type-bar supporting segment and a series .of typebai' actions mounted thereon, one of which is shown in section, .and alternate hangers are omitted for cle ai-ness of illustration. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing a modified form of type-bar, action, involving substantially the same principle as the construction shown in Figs. 1 to at inclusive. Fig. 6 is a similar view of a still further modified construction of the type-bar action in which the key-lever is fulcrumed below;

the pivotal point of the auxiliary Fig. 7 is a horizontal sectional view t-l v a portion of the segment and indivi'du type bar. hangers with screws.

It will be observed that in each of these type-bar actions, the accelerated movement of the type-bar is produced by a rolling con- 1. their fasteningf each hanger are, therefore,

purpose is provided bar -2-. hanger above tact of the key-lever with its auxiliary lever between the fulcrums of said levers and in each case, this contact changes or shifts from the fulcrum of the key-lever toward the fulcrum of the auxiliary lever, as the key-lever is depressed to threw the typebar to the printing position which is an important feature of my invention.

In Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, Ihave shown a type-bar action consisting of a hanger 1; a type-bar -2; a key-lever -3- and an auxiliary or sub-lever l for transmitting motion from the key-lever to the typebar, all of which parts-are made of sheet metal, stamped to the desired form, and assembled in a manner hereinafter described, and supported by a suitable segment a. This segment a is constructed and especially adapted for use in connection with my improved type-bar action, and for this with a series of slots a cut in its rear face in radial planes converging at the printing point for receiving and supporting the hangers -1-. Each of these hangers 1 is composed of two opposite, comparatively thin, metal plates or strips of somewhat reater vertical length than the vertical ,wi th of the segment --ato which they are secured, each slot a' receiving the vcontiguous hanger plates or sides of two adjacent hangers, and the intermediate portions of the plates of spaced apart and serve to receive suitable fastening means, as screws, 5-, which are screwed into the segment a and have their ends or heads engaged with the rear edges of their hangerplates. I have described that these segment slots are radial with the printing'point, and it, therefore, follows, that the portions of the hanger plates which are seated in said slots are also radial with the printing point and are extended upwardly some distance above the segment a in substantially radial ines for receiving between them the adjacent end or heel of the corresponding type- Theopposite plates of each the segment-w are rigidly connected by shouldered rivets -6- and -7--, which not only serve to tie the upper ends of the plates together, but also hold them spaced apart a sufiicient distance to receive-and permit the free action of the type-bar 2- and the upper end of its actuatin lever 4-. The type-bar 2- is journa ed directly upon the pivotal rivet .6- and is provided with a toothed segment -8- which meshes with a similar toothed segment -9- on its actuating lever 4, the toothed segment -8- being concentric with the type-bar pivot '6- while the segment --9- is concentric with the fulcrum of the lever 4-, which will be hereinafter described.

The upper ends of the opposite side plates 8- of the type-bar, and also to afford additional guide or support for guiding and sustaining the type-bar against undue lateral vibration when moved to the printing position. The tie rivet -7- serves to remforce or stifien the upper end of the hangerplates to prevent their spreading apart, such rivet being located above the upper end of the lever 4. and a suflicient distance at the rear of the front edges of the hangerplates to leave an open slot or space for the reception and guidance of the type-bar when thrown to the printing position. Each hanger 1 is secured to the segment, preferably by two of the screws -5, one near the upper edge and one near the lower edge of the segment (z which affords a comparatively long radial bearing for the hanger and enables me to use comparatively light sheet metal without sacrificing the rigidity of the hanger.

' The type-bars 2 are tical arc struck from the the upper portions of the hangers as well as the segment are preferably arranged in a similar are, but the lower portions of the hangers extend some distance below the lower edge of the segment -afor receiving and supporting the key-levers -3- and auxiliary levers 4, both of the levers for each type-bar action being mounted u on and between the downwardly extending portions of the opposite platesof their respective hangers so that the same hanger in the action seen in Figs. 1 to 4. ipclusive, serves to support the type-bar 2, keylever 3- and auxiliary lever 4-.

The portions of the hangers 1 projccting below the posed in substantiallyvertical planes and all terminate in substantially the -same horizontal plane some distance' below the horizontal plane of the key-leversv-3, as best seen in Figs. 1 and 4 of the drawings, the lower ends of the side plates of each hanger being rigidly connected, but spaced apart by shouldered rivets -10- a suflicient distance to receive between them the lower end of the corresponding auxiliary lever '4, which, in this instance, is fulcrumed upon the pivotal rivet -10. The key-lever -3- is fulcrumed at its rear end between the sides pieces or plates of its hanger 1 upon a suitable pivotal hearing, as a shoulered rivet -11-, similar to the rivets -6-, '7, and -10- which also serves to tie the hanger-pla tcs together and still to space them apart sufiicicntly to permit an easy swinging: action of the key-lever.

segmentv-a are dis- 5 form of type-bar seen in'Figs. 1"to 4, the

pivotal bearing 'of the key-lever is located some distance above the fulcrunr of the auxiliary lever l-, and is, therefore, interposed between the fulcrums -6 and Owing to the fact that the lower ends of the hangers all terminate in substantially the same horizontal plane, it is clearly evident that the portions of 'such hangers be low the segmentgradually increase in length from the center toward the ends of such segment and the side pieces which f'ormthe hangers are, therefore, bent at the intersection of the radial with the'vertical lines of such hangers, as best seen in Fig. 4. This difference in length of the portions of the hangers below the segment is therefore made to correspond with the curvature ofthe segment, and thekey levers and auxiliarylevers are fulcrumed or pivoted in the vertical portions of their respective hangers and are located one in front of the other between the side pieces of such hangers, each in 'the swinging path of the other. It. is now ob.-

vious that e ach key-lever and the lower por tion of its auxiliary lever swing in the same verticalplane, but the upper portion of each auxiliary lever is radially disposed to correspond to the radial portion of its hanger and to allow it to play freely between the side pieces of such hanger. The auxiliary levers are practically co-extensive in length with their respective hangers and, therefore, the portions of such auxiliary levers below the segment gradually increase in length from the center toward the ends of the segmentand swing in vertical planes while the upper portion having operative connection witlrthe type-barsntravel in radial planes coincident with'thoseiniwhich their respective type-bars swing. The rear end of each key-levervis elongated Vertically thus forming an angular extension or bell-crank having its rear face -12- convexed or cur vcd from its fulcrum,

as --l 1, toward the fulcrum, -10- 'of its corresponding auxiliary lever -l, thereby establishing a rolling contact with the front face 13- of the auxiliary lever,

which contact, is norn rally near the fulcrum of the key-leve r, but gradually changes from said fulcrum :toward the fulcrum of the auxiliary lever as the lg e'ydever is depressed. This manner of connection between the keylever'and'its auxiliary lever causesthe upper end of the latter lever and its type-bar to move from the normal to the printing position with an accelerated action, and at the same time, enables the type-bar to be started from its normal position of rest to-- ward its printing position under a comparatively light touch upon the key-lever, and although the speed of action of the type-bar gradually increases under continued depres" sion of the key-lever, which implies that greater power is required to produce such accelerated motion, it must be borne in mind that the momentum given to the type-bar at the beginning of the key-1ever stroke, compensates in a measure, for the extra power required to bring the type-bar to the printing position, and that owing tothis momentum the pressure upon the key-lever is nearly uniform through itsentire stroke.

The key-lever and. auxiliary lever -4c. are returned to their normal position by separate springs 14- and 15 respectively, either or both of which operate in cidentally to, return the type-bar to its normal position of rest through the medium of the connections between said levers and type-bar. The means for preventing objectionable rebound of the type-bar when forcibly returned to its position of rest consists in providing the lower end of the auxiliary lever with a forwardly and upwardly projecting extension --16' forming a loop which embraces a depending portion -17- of" the key-lever 3'and bears upon the,

front face or edge of a boss 18 projecting forwardly from the pendant 17--.

The boss or projection -18-- bears .against the inner end of the extension -16 above the fulcrum --10 of the auxiliary lever, but only when the type-bar and its actuating levers are at rest, because the recess or loop in which the pendant 17 plays is so formed as'to permit the boss 18 to free itself from contact with said 'extensioirassoon as the key'lever starts on its down-stroke. This allows a free action of the type-barand its actuating levers to and from their positions of rest, but prevents any objectionable rebound of the typebar when returned to such position and thereby enables the type-bars to be nested close together withoutliability of interfering one with the other under rapid action. It will beobserved that the lower ends of the sides of each hanger 1 are extended forwardly to lap upon thesides of the extension 16-- and pendant portion 17- of the levers 3- and ,4 respectively and serve to guide and sustain such parts in operative connection while in action. The

retracting springs 14- and 15 of the levers 3 and 4 are mounted on the axially projecting ends of their respective pivotal pins 11 and"10 with their ends interlocked with the hanger .-l andtheir intermediate portions attached to their respectlve levers 3-+ and 4 for retina-ling the latter to their normal positions.

after each printing operation.

The action seen In Fig. 5 is similar to tions that seen in Figs. 1 to v4 inclusive, except that the type-bar, as 2', key-lever as 3, and auxiliary lever, as 4' are pivotally mounted on separate supports, 20, 2land 22 respectively, the supports 20 consisting of separate hangers, one for each type-bar which are removably secured to the segment, as -b-, by screws 5. In this device the upper ends is connected to its type-bar by a link 8 and the pivotal pins, as 11 and 10 for the keylever 3 and auxiliary lever 4' respectively are disposed in the same vertical plane at the rear of the plane inwhich thepivot, as 6' of the type-bar is located, and the su ports 21and -22-- are disposed .m parallel horizontal planes, one above the other, thereby bringing the fulcrums l0 and 11- in parallel horizontal planes. The key-lever 3 is provided with a convex rear edge or rocker-face 12.-having rolling contact with the front edge of the adjacent vertical portion of the auxiliary lever 4' betweenthe'fulcrums 10 and 11". and the auxiliary lever is also provided with a forwardly and upwardly curved extension 16 which is engaged by a boss or projection 18 when the parts of the type-bar action are at rest, said key-lever and auxiliary lever being returned to their normal posiby separate springs 14, and 15' re- I spectively.

i In Fig; 6 Ihave shown a typebar action comprising a type-barBO, a key-lever 31+:

and an auxiliary lever 32-", the type-bar being pivoted at 33- uponasuitable hanger 34, which in turn, is removably secured by screws -B5 to a supporting segment 36-, while the levers "--3,1-- and 32- are pivoted at and 38- respectively to separate horizontal supports 39 --and 4O In this "latter-device. the pivots '3- 3,7 and 3 8- are disposed in the same vertical plane. as in I'Tig."

1, but: the fulcrum of the key-lever isbelow that of the auxiliary and the two lever-4 are connected by asuitable retracting spring --42, while the key-lever is-providcrl with an upward terminal extension -'l-..-- having a rocker face -44 which engages the adjacent rear edge of a pendant portion,

5- of'the auxiliary lever, and the latter lever is pivoted at 46 with a lost motion directly to the type-bar. Itwill be observed that in each of these several devices the rocker arm of the key-lever is normally in contact with its auxiliaryor sublever at a. point near the fulcrum of the keylever and that such contact points shift progressively toward the fulcrum of the auxiliary lover. and in a direct line between the iulcrun'ls of said levers as the. key-lever is depressed for the purpose of producing an accelerated action of the type-bar. l't .Vill thus be noted that. th pw' s are conof each auxiliary lever.

relation without interference mg action and consequent friction between such cont-acting parts is practically eliminated; that the type-bar is locked in its normal position of rest without the use of separate parts, and that the entire action in either case involves practically only three parts, viz! the type-bar, key-lever and auxiliary lever, thus permitting all of thenctivc parts ,to be brought into close compact other.

In Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, it will be seen that the entire system of type-bars and their actuating mechanisms are assembled upon and supported by the segment -a and that each type-bar action is supported wholly upon one of the hangers -1- so that the complete system may be assembled upon the segment --aand then placed in position or removed from the machine or each separate action with its hanger may be removed or replaced separately from the others. In

one with the.

this class of machines. the type-bar is usually provided with two type, and either the platen or segment is made to shift to bring one or the other of the type to the printing point, but this shifting-means forms no part of my present invention, and it is therefore. unnecessary to illustrate or describe the same further than to state that in the device seen in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive and Fig. 6. the platen is preferably shifted,

while in Fig.5, the key-levers and auxiliary levers are mounted on supports, separate .'from the type-bar-support-ing segment to -enable said segment to be shifted relatively to the platen. The key-levers for the different rows are usually of different lengths, while the type-bars swing through substantially the same arc, or degree of movement, andiu order tha the dip, or amount of depression. or stroke of the key-levers may be substantially the same. the curve of the rocker face for each of those type actions whichlms the longer sub-levers is struck from a longer radius than the rocker faces of those type actions which have. the shorter sub-levers. or in other words, this radius of each successive rocker face is gradually re duced from the sides toward the center of the system. The auxiliary levers, as 4, are preferably made in pairs. two at a given distance from the center of the segment of the same length, but a the two lovers of each pair are connected to key-levers of two adic nimr banks and consequent slightly ditferent length, the rocking parts may be of slightly different curvature if exactly the same dip is obtained, the difference in curve, however, is so slight that the curved parts may be made in pairs without material difference in dip.

In operation, the depression of the key lever, as 3-, against the action of its spring, as ll, causes the rocker-face, as l2, on the rear end of said lever to contact with the upright face 13- of the auxiliary lever -4;-, which contact gradually shifts from the fulcrum of the key-lever toward the fulcrum of the auxiliary lever, thereby imparting an accelerated movement to the auxiliary lever, which accelerate-d movement is transmitted to the type-bar through the connection between the auxiliary lever and type-bar, said auxiliary lever being actuated against the action of its retracting spring, as 15, which, together with the retracting spring for the key-lever operate to return the key-lever, auxiliary-lever and its typebar to their normal positions of rest, in which position, the type -bar is locked against objectionable rebound by contact of the boss or projection 18- with the adjacent face or edge of the extension -16-.

What I claim:

1. In a typewriting' machine, va type-bar arranged to swing upwardly and rearwardly, a detachable type-bar hanger supporting the bar, a key-lever, and auxiliary lever both pivotally connected to and removable with the hanger.

.2. In a typewrit-ing machine, a slotted segment, a series of type-bar hangers detachably seated in the segment slots, a type-bar,v

auxiliary lever, and key-lever pivotally connected to each of the hangers, the type-bar and key-lever being mounted upon their hangers and removable therewith from the segment.

3. In a typewriting machine, a segment and hangers thereon, a series of self-contained type-bar actions, each consisting of a type-bar, a key lever, and an auxiliary le ver, each pivotally connected to its hanger and removable therewith from the segment.

4. In a typewriting machine, a type-bararranged toswing upwardly and rearwardly, a supportingsegmenaand a hanger a pair of opposite side plates pivotally connected to the type-bar, the hanger plates being connected to the segment below the type-bar pivot, and having upward extensions rigidly connected by a separate part above said pivot.

5. In a typewriting .machine, a type-bar arranged 'to swing upwardly and rearwardly, a supporting segment, and a hanger "consisting of a pair of separate side plates pivotally connected to the type-bar the hanger plates being connected to the segment below the type-bar pivot, and having their upper endsj'extended above said pivotand 'rigidly connected to form an open guide for the type-bar when at the printing point. 6. In a typewriting machine, a hanger andva type bar action comprising a type-bar, key-lever and auxiliary lever all fulcrumed on the hanger and operatively connected.

7.-In a typewritingmachine, a series of radially arranged upwardly and rearwardly swinging type-bars, a series of vertically movable key-levers, a series of auxiliary levers operatively connecting the type-bars to the key levers, and a series of hangers each acting to support and guide one of said type-bars, auxiliar levers, and key levers.

8. In a typewri ing machine, a series of radially arranged upwardly and rearwardly swinging type-bars, a series of hangers each consisting 0 two opposable parts, a series of auxiliary levers operatively connected to the type-bars'at their upper ends and to the hangers at their lower ends, with a series of key-levers each having a rolling contact with one of the auxiliary levels between the opposableparts of one of the hangers.

9. In a typewriting machine, a series of radially arranged upwardly and rearwardly swinging type-bars, a series of vertically movable key-levers, a series of hangers each forming a pivotal support forcone type-bar and key lever,'with means to transmit and accelerate the motion of the key-levers to the type-bars. 10. In a typewriting machine, a series of radially arranged upwardly and rearwardly swinging type-bars, a series of vertically movable key-levers, and a series of hangers of graduated lengths each formin a pivotal support for one type-bar and keyever, with means to transmit motion from the key lever to the type-bar.

11. In a typewriting machine, radially arranged upwardly and rearwardly swinging type-bars, a series of vertically movable key-levers, and a series of hangers each forming a pivotal support for one typebar, auxiliary lever, andkey lever, the upper portions of the hangers being arranged in radial lines and the lower portions in substantially parallel vertical lines.

12. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a type bar, a sub-lever, and a key lever having a rocking contact with said sub-lever to eflect an acceleration of the type bar as it approaches the printing position, the parts being constructed and arlever to eifect an acceleration of the type bar as it approaches the printing position,

a series of I the parts being constructed and arranged so that a single transverse vertical plane cuts the pivots of the key lever and sublever and the point of rocking contact between the key lever and sub-lever, and coacting means on the key lever and sub-lever which cooperate when the parts are in normal position to lock the type bar against rebound. I

14. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a series of upwardly and rear- Wardly striking type right sub-levers, and a series of key levers having a rocking contact on the sub-levers to-efi'ect an acceleration of each type bar as it approaches the printing position, the pivots of the type bars, sub-levers and key levers and the points of contact between the key levers and sub-levers being cut by a .smgle transverse vertical plane.

15. In a typcwriting machine, the combination of a series of upwardly and rearwardly striking type bars, a series of upright sub-levers, a series of key levers having a rocking contact on the sub-levers to effect an acceleration. of each type bar as it approaches the printing position, the pivots of the type bars. sub-levers and key levers and the points of contact between the key levers and sub-levers being cut by a single transverse vertical plane, and c0- acting means on the key levers and sub levers which cooperate when the parts are in normal position to lock the type bar's against rebound.

16. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a series of upwardly and. rearwardly striking type bars, series of up right sub-levers which increase in length from the center to the sides of the system, a

bars, a series of up series of key levers, and curved .rocker faces or treads formed on one series of said levers for rocking contact on the other series of levers to'eli'ect an acceleration of the type bars as they approach the printing positlon, the pivots of the key levers and sub-levers and the points of engagement between the two sets or series of levers being cut by a single vertical transverse plane and the curve of each tread being gradually reduced or on a smaller radius as the center of the system is approached.

17. In a typewriting machine, the combination of a series of upwardly and rearwardly striking type bars, a series of upright sub-levers which increase in length from the center to the sides of the system, a series of key levers, curved rocker faces or treads formed on one series of said levers tor rocking contact on the other series of levers to effect an acceleration of the type bars as they approach the printing position, the pivots of the key levers and sublevers and the points tween the two sets or series of levers being cut by a single vertical transverse plane and the curve of each tread being gradually reduced or on a smaller radius as the center 'of the system is approached, and co-acting means on the key levers and sub-levers which cooperate when the parts are in normal position to lock the type bars against: rebound.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 3d day of October 1905.

' EMMIT G. LATTA. \Vi tnesses OSCAR C. KAvLn, H. E. CHASE.

of engagement be-

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